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UNDP supports the International Seminar on Decentralization

Luanda, 9 July 2012 - The Second International Workshop on Decentralization, under the theme "Local Authorities and Development" was held on 5 and 6 July 2012 at the Law Faculty of Agostinho Neto University. Organized by the Centre of Excellence (CPPPGL) in partnership with the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the seminar has been supported by the United Nations development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Minister of Justice, Guilhermina Prata, highlighted the benefits around the discussion of the decentralization process so that the Angolan executive can move forward without making the mistakes already verified by other countries. She said that the Angolan executive intends to collect the experiences of other countries that are already practicing the decentralization process in order to avoid mistakes that others have committed. The collected experiences will be included into the relevant legislation. This will also allow setting the best suited model to Angolan legal reality.

For his part, the UNDP Deputy Country Director for Programmes, Olaf Juergensen, in his speech during the event stressed that the decentralization and local governance are now seen as a key lever in the fight against poverty, social exclusion and gender inequality, lack of access to services basic social, and others.

On his side, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Agostinho Neto University, Carlos Teixeira, said his institution will make its full contribution to the ongoing discussion and presentation of solutions in this field, emphasizing the fact that public policies are currently moving from a centralized model to another decentralized, through the creation of services closer to communities.

According to the National Director of Municipal Administration of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Walter de Sa, the process that will lead to the realization of the first municipal elections in Angola can be completed in 2015. He said that the Angolan authorities are working on the legislation that will support the process, which includes the Local Finance Law.

During two days, experts from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Namibia discussed aspects such as "Local authority in Angola", "Experience of Mozambique" "The experiences of Brazil, Portugal and Comparative Law", "Prospects and Challenges in Angola under decentralization and local authorities. "